Document Type
Personal Letter
Rights Management
All rights retained by Bryant University
Transcription
[Transcription begins]
19 December 1944
Somewhere in Germany
My most precious jewel,
Thank goodness, I’ve just finished distributing all the PX supplies to the battery so now I can sit quietly, I hope, and write my darling a letter. The mailman was very kind to me today, bringing me two air mail letters from you dated 9 and 10 of Dec., a letter from Sylvan, a letter from the Hamburgs, and believe it or not, an EMF message from you dated 5 Nov. The long time for transmission was no doubt due to the fact I moved about so quickly.
Darling, your letter explaining your new set-up was very enlightening and modestly I say, “I’m darn proud of you.” Sweetheart, I have so many mixed emotions concerning you. I respect your opinion, I’m crazy about your cooking, I admire your ability to handle children, to understand peoples [sic] for what they are, and last but not least, your ability to be a perfect lover. Seriously, it’s very easy to love you—requires absolutely no effort on my part whatsoever.
Sweetheart, you do have a big job and loads of responsibility but I’m happy that you have been given the opportunity to run your own nursery in the way you want it to be run. Golly, I bet it was some job putting your nursery into operation. I got fatigued merely reading about all the work that had to be done on the house.
Your thumbnail sketches describing your help is [sic] excellent. I feel I would know them were I to meet them on the street. I particularly liked your description of Mrs. Kramer and the reference to her eating all the food.
Sweetheart, I do wish that you consider your health along with your job. After all, when I come home I want to find a virile, healthy wife who is capable of making “violent love.” If you think that your evening work at the Recreation Center is too much in addition to your present job, I wish that you [would] quit this work. Remember, I want you to keep busy but please don’t sacrifice health to obtain the objective.
Today I went into town to get a shower or bath. I sat in that bath tub for 40 minutes—it was de-lovely. After the bath I went about the town to purchase some Christmas tree decorations, but I couldn’t find any. You might be interested to know that the stores in the town close for 2 hrs. every afternoon (just like Mexico—remember how we used to spend our siesta!).
I acquainted myself with a young man who was a manager in the department store and after speaking with him for an hour he said, “You speak the best German I have yet heard an American speak.” (I don’t imagine he spoke with many Americans.)
Leaving the store I bump[ed] into our boy, Capt. Shaw & Forest (B Btry) conversing with a rather nice looking woman (40 years). They introduced me to her and [I] learned that she was a native of Holland, got a college education in England, and taught English in Holland. At the present time she was [sic] working with the Americans in the office of civil affairs. She spoke English perfectly and naturally excellent German. I spoke both German and French to her and surprisingly she understood me perfectly. Gee, maybe I am getting good. Who knows?
There’s a rather strained feeling existing in some parts of Holland but which isn’t apparent in our section. Contrary to France and some of the other formerly occupied countries, there are still left in Holland many young [D]utch men. These young men have seen the young girls swept off their feet by the dashing Americans who have food and sweets and resent it. (I don’t blame them.) The Dutch, you know, are very moralistic peoples so the church (Catholic) has come out forbidding that Dutch girls go out with American soldiers. It’s a local problem which doesn’t mean much one way or another especially to me. It’s interesting tho. I purchased some Dutch cards which I’m sending you. They should be cute in the nursery.
Sylvan’s letter (12 Dec.) indicates that he has has [sic] received our photo Xmas cards and like them. He tells that he has heard all about the “Railsplitters” and is surprised at the record. He wishes us both a happy New Year and that we be together next year—amen!
Darling, these people who have the attitude concerning the war, i.e., Mrs. Hicks, disgust me. In fact I have to control myself from “vomiting.” When will the American people wake up? Please pass on my opinion of these people if the situation presents itself.
Sometimes I wonder, “Have these kids out here died in vain?” When will the damned American people realize that this is total war?
I’m glad you sent a package to Capt. Shaw. He’s a good Joe. When you mentioned spare ribs—you made my mouth water. I remember those delicious spare ribs, honey, you could put out—mmm!
Darling, other than the above nothing happened. We just rolled dice to see who takes out the letters—the regular mail has gone out. Shelton lost.
Goodnight, darling. I love you with my whole being.
Vic
[Transcription ends]
